Penile
/ˈpiː.naɪl/noun
Relating to the penis.
Did you know?Latin penis originally referred to a tail or appendage, and the related Latin diminutive penicillus, meaning “little tail” or “brush,” eventually gave English the word “pencil.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pes- / *pesnis
“A reconstructed root associated with a tail or projecting appendage; the exact formation is debated.”
Classical Latin
Latin
pēnis
“Penis; also interpreted by some scholars as originally referring to a tail or appendage.”
Late Latin
Latin
penīlis
“Of or relating to the penis.”
17th Century
English
penile
“Relating to the penis; adopted from Latin penīlis.”
Modern English
English
penile
“Relating to the penis.”
Explore more surprising origins